Principles of Behavior

Principles of behavior are guidelines that explain how and why people and animals engage in certain actions. They suggest that behavior is influenced by its consequences—if an action is rewarded or results in positive outcomes, it’s more likely to happen again; if it’s punished or leads to negative results, it’s less likely. These principles help us understand patterns in behavior and can be used to encourage positive actions or reduce unwanted ones. They are fundamental to fields like psychology and education, providing a framework for shaping behavior through reinforcement, punishment, and environmental factors.